About 29% of municipalities in New Jersey now welcome some semblance of the cannabis industry, after 35 towns that had previously prohibited all classes of cannabis businesses have since passed ordinances allowing at least one type of licensed cannabis business to operate within their borders, according to a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey analysis of municipal ordinances.
At the time of a state-mandated deadline in August, fewer than a quarter of municipalities had passed such ordinances.
The findings show that 22 municipalities that previously banned all legal marijuana businesses have since decided to allow retail sales. Three other towns that had previously allowed some cannabis uses, but not retail dispensaries, have since passed ordinances to allow retail uses.
Another 10 towns with complete cannabis bans have opted into some aspects of the cannabis industry but continue to prohibit retail dispensaries.